The long-awaited Afghanistan-Iran-Europe railway corridor has officially been inaugurated, marking a transformative step for regional trade and connectivity, the Iranian Embassy in Kabul announced today.
The launch ceremony, attended by the Iranian Consul General and the Governor of Herat, saw the first shipment of Afghan exports depart from Herat, traversing Iran en route to Türkiye and onward to European markets.
Developed in collaboration with Iran, this strategic corridor is set to strengthen Afghanistan’s economy by providing a faster, more efficient trade link to Europe. The project underscores Afghanistan’s growing potential as a key transit hub in the region.
The expansion of Afghanistan’s railway infrastructure holds immense economic and strategic value, not only for the country but for the wider region. By enhancing rail connectivity, Afghanistan is shifting from a landlocked nation to a vital land-linked crossroads for international trade.
Experts suggest that with sustained investment, political commitment, and regional cooperation, Afghanistan could emerge as a central trade artery connecting Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The new corridor is expected to reduce transportation costs, increase export opportunities, and foster deeper economic integration across Eurasia. As the first shipment embarks on its journey, stakeholders are optimistic about the corridor’s potential to reshape regional trade dynamics.
Read next
06:15
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his upcoming reciprocal tariffs will apply to all nations, rather than just targeting the 10 to 15 countries with the largest trade imbalances. Trump plans to unveil the tariff package on Wednesday, calling it “Liberation Day.”
05:25
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to back out of a critical minerals deal, warning that such a move would bring serious repercussions.
05:08
Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has warned of public unrest if elections are not held by December, following remarks from interim leader Muhammad Yunus suggesting a possible delay until 2026.
05:00
Over 300,000 Canadians were left without power on Sunday as a severe ice storm battered parts of Ontario, according to electricity provider Hydro One. The storm brought freezing rain and ice pellets over the weekend, with power outages continuing into Monday morning in some regions.
04:42
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is awaiting a critical court ruling on Monday that could determine her political future. Le Pen, head of the National Rally (RN), faces accusations of embezzling over 3 million euros ($3.3 million) of European Parliament funds to pay France-based staff.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment